Vehicle roof structure



De :.y 1, 1964, w. s. EGGERT, JR

VEHICLE ROOF STRUCTURE INI/ENTR. Walter Sqgmf, r

ATTGRNEY 7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 20, 1961 Dec. 1, 1964 w. s. EGGERT,JR 3,159,089

VEHICLE RooF STRUCTURE 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 20. 1961 v QINVENTOR. WGH@ Sfqge, fr?

ATTORNEY Dec. l, 1964 w. s. EGGERT, .JR 3,159,089

VEHICLE: RooF STRUCTURE Filed oct. 2o. 1961 7 sheets-sheet 5 IN VENTOR.

Walter Sfqgejr Y Wm. T?,

ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1964 w. s. EGGERT, .JR 3,159,089

VEHICLE ROOF STRUCTURE '7 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Oct. 20. 1961 INVENTOR.

Wolter SEqqer Y A TTORNEY Dec. 1, 1964 w. s. EGGERT, JR

VEHICLE EooE STRUCTURE 'I Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Ocb. 20, 1961 INVENTOR.Wdlv. Sqqeri, )r BY Wm ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1964 w. s. EGGERT, JR 3,159,089

VEHICLE RooF STRUCTURE Filed oct. zo, 1961 '7 sheets-sheet e INVENTOH.

ATTORNEY Dec. 1, 1964 w. s. EGGERT, JR

VEHICLE ROOF STRUCTURE Filed Oct. 2O 1961 3,159,0s9 VEHICLE ROOFSTRUCTURE Waiter S. Eggert, Jr., Philadelphia, Pa., assigner to TheEutld Company, Philadelphia, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania FiledOct. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 146,568 4 Claims. (Cl. 98-10) This inventionrelates to vehicle roof structure and has for an object the provision ofimprovements in this art.

One of the particular objects is to provide a roof structure in whichthe main roof and ceiling are carried by the roof carlines and in whicha crown or monitor roof provides plenum space of ample size for freshVentilating air for the vehicle.

Another object is to provide ample plenum space between the ceiling andmain roof for recirculated air, adequate openings being provided for aircirculation by ceiling fans.

Another object is to provide a mid-width crown roof which is formed inmodule sections for a basic Ventilating module or unit of the vehicle.

Another object is to provide a crown roof structure which furnishesample air entry space on the sides and in which the parts are formed foreasy air flow and the elimination of moisture and trash.

Another object is to provide a roof structure which allows ready removalof dampers and fans upwardly from the outside when la crown roof sectionis removed.

Another object is to provide a basic struct-ure with openings anddampers which are all alike and to any one of which a circulating fancan be added.

The above and other objects and yadvantages of the invention will beapparent from the foliowing description of .an exemplary embodiment,reference being made to the accompanying drawings wherein: v

FIG. 1 is a central longitudinal vetrical section through a railway carembodying the invention; p

FIG. 2 is -an enlarged partial central longitudinal section of the upperportion of the car, the view being taken in the zone 2 2 of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 isa transverse vertical section taken on the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 isa transverse vertical section taken on the line 4 4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is -a transverse vertical section taken on the line 6 6 of FIG.2;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the top of the roof;

FIG. 8 is la perspective view similar to FIG. 7 but with the monitorroof moved olf to one side;

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the top of the main roof with themonitor roof removed and the middle roof sheet or pan moved'otl. to oneside;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the under side` of the roof with partof the ceiling covering removed;

FIG. 1l is a perspective View of a portion of the roof, parts beingshown in section, with the dampers in open position;

FIG. l2 is a view like FIG. 1l but showing the dempers in closedposition;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged parti-al transverse section of one section of oneside of the roof, with parts omitted, to show the framing and ceilingarrangement; FIG. 14 is Ian enlarged partial section of the zone 14 14of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 1.5-1.5 ofFIG. 13,; and

FIG. 16 is la section taken on the line 16-6 of FIG. 13.

As shownV in the drawings, a vehicle 10, specifically United StatesPatent O shown as a railway passenger car of the subway type, hassidewalls 11 each comprising longitudinally spaced posts 12 and a capplate or purline 13. The purline includes, in section, a downwarldy openchannel portion 13a fitting on and welded to the tops of the po-sts andterminating on the inboard side in an upwardly open valley 13b with theinner llange sloping to lit the contour of the inner ceiling line of thecar.

A main roof 15 has carl-ines 16 which at each end Seat on the top of apurline 13, each carline at the lower end having secured thereto, as bywelding, .a gusset i7 having a downturned lower edge 17a which in finalassembly positions against the top inner side of a purline and issecured thereto, as by welding.

On the top at each lower end the canlines have secured thereto, as bywelding, a thick through-runningeave sheet 18 which on the outside side18a lits against the outer vertical wall 4of the purline and is securedthereto in iinal assembly, as by Welding. The lower edge of the eavesheet is turned up to form a gutter 18h.

On each side the carlines carry a through-running main side roof 19, asof a longitudinally corrugated sheet, and at the center for aconsiderable width carry a throughrunning middle roof sheet `or pan 2i).On the sides the roof sheet 20 is bent up to form top purline elements29a having outwardly extending side flanges Zlib to exclude water Vfromair which is drawn in over these edges. At intervals along its lengththe middle roof sheet Ztl is provided with large air passage openingshaving inwardly and upwardly inclined marginal rim iianges 29e. The roofsheet or pan is preferably formed in sectional lengths which are weldedtogether.

On each side between the side roof 19 and the middle roof sheet 20 thereis secured to the carlines an upper side roof sheet 2l which at itsinner side is bent to form a sloping portion 21a `and an upwardlydirected portion 2lb which is secured, as by welding, to the side ofroof purline 20a. The bent portions 21a and 2lb constitute part of theroof purline.

At intervals along the length of the roof between openings there -areprovided monitor or crown roof spacers 23 which are flanged vat the topand bottom edges and are secured, ,as by welding, to the middle roofsheet 20 and its purline elements Zlio. There are spacers 23 on thesides of each opening.

A secondary, monitor or crown roof 24 is mounted above the tops of thetransverse spacers 23 and is secured to longitudinally spaced brackets25 on each side, as by bolts 25a.

The monitor roof 24 (FIG. 1) is made in short sections each coveringthree roof openings except at the ends where it covers one roof openingand an end space without openings.

A transverse gutter 26 is secured between the ends of each pair fof roofsections. It is secured to the purline like parts 20a and acts as asupplemental monitor carline.

Each section of the monitor roof includes a roof sheet 27 having centrallongitudinal ribs 27a, downturned end flanges 27h and smooth curved edgegutters 27e. Monitor carlines 27d stiifen and reinforce the monitor roofsec tions or units and here are of channel shape with the open sidefacing downwardly. At the ends of the sections ocE the outer ilange of achannel forms the downfturned ilange 27b overhanging a gutter. Sealingstrips 26a are carried by the upper edges of the gutter.

The monitor roof is wider than the space between the composite purlines20a, 21a etc. and is spaced a considerable distance above these purlinesso as to provide a large space for the entry of air on each side. Ascreen 30 is disposed between the top of a purline Ztia and the outeredge of the monitor roof to exclude leaves, paper and other airborneobjects. The curved edges ofthe monit; tor roof provides a kind ofventuri effect for the smooth f easy entry of air.

which is carried by an annular pneumatic operator 35 and j a spring 36for movement between closed and open positions. in closed position thedamper plate 34 near its outer edge engages an outer ring seal 37carried by the edge of the flange Ztic and which acts as a waterexcluder; and near its inner edge engages an inner ring seal 38 carriedby a support part 39 which carries the pneu matic operator. The part 39is secured on the spaced bars 32. The part 39 is annular and has aremovable cap iti secured by bolts 40a to retain the spring. The supportpart 39 has a base portion 39a and a tubular portion 39o. The baseportion is recessed to carry the pneumatic operator 35 and the outerraised edge of the base portion carries the sealing strip V38 alreadynoted. The tubular portion carries the cap 49, as noted. The damperplate 3fthas an annular valley near the inner edge torcarry the spring36 and on its inner edge carries an'anti-friction band or liner 34a, asof Teilon, Nylon, or the like, to cooperate in a loose tit with theouter side ofV the tubular portion 39h. When the cap d@ is removed thepneumaticy operator and spring 36 can be removed, the monitor roofsection being first removed. The bars 32 are shorter than the diameterofthe opening so when they are unbolted a whole damper unit can beremoved. j

Brackets 42 are secured between roof openings to the carlines 16 andtheir sub-brackets 42a provide support for stanchion posts 43 and partsupport for louvers 44 or fans 45 or both. Gutboard brackets 46 furnishadditional support for the fans. Bolts 4dr: secure the louvers and bolts45a secure the fans and their louvers. Heater units may bel mounted hereif desired.

There is a damper'and louver for every opening and a down-blowing fan in.the opening between each two end openings ofeach group of threeopenings. When the dempers are closed the fans circulate interior rairfrom the side openings; and when the dempers are open the fans circulateair from the outside and recirculate air from the inside mixed with it.

The louvens 44 are located in :openings in a central ceiling sheetSti'which is spaced well below the center portion ofthe carlines 16 toprovide an ample plenum space for recirculated air. The sheets haveraised rims around thelouvers 44. Their outboard edges are held in slotsof longitudinal strengthening purline-like members Si which also providebases for lighting xtures 52. Inverted downwardly flared flangedlongitudinal base channel members 53 are secured to the cariines lo andhave the members S secured to them, as by screws 54. TheV space betweenthe membersr53 and 51 may be usedas a wiring duct.

j The slots of the members 51 are made of excess depth so a sheet Vcanbe pushed in to clear the outer edgeot a slot on the opposite side,Vthen pushed into the slot on the Opposite side withoutf removal from theslot of the first side. rThe rear or upper side wall ot the slotsextends out further than the front or lower side so as'to serve as aguide in the insertion of the ceiling sheet. This assembly may becompleted while the top ofthe Ycar is in upside down position or on edgeand the finished top sub-assembly, except for side ceiling sheetsshortly to be described, then secured to the side sub-assemblies.

Transverse grooved joint members S7 support the transverse edges ofadjacent ceiling sheets, the sheets and'members 57 being `placed insuccession from one end of the car; and the top stanchion supports 43a,when secured `by bolts 53,'hold the ceiling sheets in place.v Thestanchion supports arerrecessed in the middle to span the trans-V versemembers 57. Y

On each side longitudinal members 59 are secured to the carlines i6 andprovide anchorages for bases 6% of hand supports 6l, screws 62 securingthe bases to tapped anchors carried by the members 59. The middleceiling sheets are held beneath the bases 60. The members 59, Whereused, actas purlines. They are not needed at doorway locations for handsupports but may be used here for additional structural strength andrigidity if desired. That is, these members 59 may run full lengthwithout gaps, if desired. Y

At the outboard sides of the longitudinal members 5l curved ceilingsidesheets at one edge are secured in over-depth grooves in the outer sidesof the members and at the outer edge are secured by strips d6 to theinner edges of the portions 13b of the purlines 13. lntermediately theyare secured, as by screws 67, to brackets 63 secured to the carlines 16.A sheet 65 is installed by pushing its inner edge into the overdepthslot of a member 51 until its Strip 66 passes the edge of the part 13bof the purlines; then pushing the sheet down until the edge of the part13b enters the groove provided between the sheet and its strip 65; andfinally securing the sheet by screws 67.

Mounting means for car cards iti are provided, as by the lower bentedges oda of the sheets, upper groove strips '71 secured to the sheets,and transverse grooved jointcovering strips, not shown.

v FIGS. llV and l2 illustratethe air circulation paths effected by thedescribed arrangements. As seen in FIG. ll, when the dampers are openthere is an inilow of fresh air into the monitor compartments betweenVseparators 23 and through the hoof openings at the fans with an outflowof vitiated air at the other openings and dampers, somev air beingrecirculated through the lower plenum space above the ceiling sheets toand by the fans.

As seen in FIG. l2, when the'dampers are closed air is recirculatedthrough the lower plenum chamber to and by the fans. The lower plenumchamberV is open along its length but the air circulated by each anlargely passes through the louver at the fan and the two next adjacentlouvers. The upper plenum space is compartmented for the individual'dampers so that fresh intake air at the fans and exhaust vitiated airat the adjacent openings are carefully kept separated. f-

lt is thus seen that a strong simple roof structure is provided withoutlongitudinal intercostals between carlines, Vthe roof pan sides andadjacent parts providing upper purlines, the lamp base channels`providing lower purlines, and the hand strap anchor beams providingother lower purlines., Between the upper openings, those in the roofpan, Vthe brackets 4Z provide longitudinal strength members.

The short removable roof sections provide ready access to the dempersand fans and allow them to be removed when desired. l

The transverse gutters at intervals along the length provide goodremoval of water and also comprise structural strength members of theroof.

j tion of: a primary roof coveringsaid car and including a plurality oflongitudinally-spaced rst openings located substantially along thelongitudinal centerline of said primary' roof; means defining a rstplenum space which extends along the car above said primary roof andcommunicates with said iirst openings andthe exteriorof the car, saidmeans including'a secondary roof spaced above saidprimary roof andsupport means supporting said secondary roof on said primarytroofysaidsupport Vmeans inclnding a plurality of transverse partitions extendingacross said upper plenum space between said rst openings and dividingsaid upper plenum space into a plurality of separate compartments eachcommunicating with a different one of said irst openings; a ceilingsupported beneath said primary root` means and forming therewith asecond plenum space below said first plenum space, said ceiling having aplurality of longitudinally-spaced second openings communicating withsaid lower plenum space and the interior of the car; a plurality ofdampers operatively connected for controlling the flow of air throughsaid iirst openings; and a plurality of fans mounted in certain ones ofsaid second openings for pumping air therethrough, said fans beingarranged so that when said dampers are open, fresh airand recirculatedair are pumped into the interior of the car and some air is exhausted,and, when said dampers are closed, air is merely recircnlated within thecar.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said secondary roof comprises aplurality ofroof sections and means detachably connecting said roofsections whereby said roof sections can be removed upwardly.

3. The combination of claim 2 andV including means detachably mountingsaid dampers whereby said dampcan be removed upwardly upon removal ofsaiddampers and said roof sections.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,197,740 4/40Bergstrom 98-10 2,286,252 6/42 Bergstrom 98-10 2,404,961 7/46 Hoch9842.1 2,5%094 4/52 Blue 98-10 2,625,890 1/53 Dean 10S-397 2,923,223 2/60 Fall 98-10 vFOREIGN PATENTS 389,230 3/ 33 Great Britain.

ROBERT A. OLEARY, Primary Examiner.

CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Examiner.

1. IN A ROOF STRUCTURE FOR A RAILWAY CAR, THE COMBINATION OF: A PRIMARYROOF COVERING SAID CAR AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OFLONGITUDINALLY-SPACED FIRST OPENINGS LOCATED SUBSTANTIALLY ALONG THELONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE OF SAID PRIMARY ROOF; MEANS DEFINING A FIRSTPLENUM SPACE WHICH EXTENDS ALONG THE CAR ABOVE SAID PRIMARY ROOF ANDCOMMUNICATES WITH SAID FIRST OPENINGS AND THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR, SAIDMEANS INCLUDING A SECONDARY ROOF SPACED ABOVE SAID PRIMARY ROOF ANDSUPPORT MEANS SUPPORTING SAID SECONDARY ROOF ON SAID PRIMARY ROOF; SAIDSUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF TRANSVERSE PARTITIONS EXTENDINGACROSS SAID UPPER PLENUM SPACE BETWEEN SAID FIRST OPENINGS AND DIVIDINGSAID UPPER PLENUM SPACE INTO A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE COMPARTMENTS EACHCOMMUNICATING WITH A DIFFERENT ONE OF SAID FIRST OPENINGS; A CEILINGSUPPORTED BENEATH SAID PRIMARY ROOF MEANS AND FORMING THEREWITH A SECONDPLENUM SPACE BELOW SAID FIRST PLENUM SPACE, SAID CEILING HAVING APLURALITY OF LONGITUDINALLY-SPACED SECOND OPENINGS COMMUNICATING WITHSAID LOWER PLENUM SPACE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR; A PLURALITY OFDAMPERS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED FOR CONTROLLING THE FLOW OF AIR THROUGHSAID FIRST OPENINGS; AND A PLURALITY OF FANS MOUNTED IN CERTAIN ONES OFSAID SECOND OPENINGS FOR PUMPING AIR THERETHROUGH, SAID FANS BEINGARRANGED SO THAT WHEN SAID DAMPERS ARE OPEN, FRESH AIR AND RECIRCULATEDAIR ARE PUMPED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR AND SOME AIR IS EXHAUSTED,AND, WHEN SAID DAMPERS ARE CLOSED, AIR IS MERELY RECIRCULATED WITHIN THECAR.